Operations / Quality Assurance Officer

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development.

UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe.

In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Vacancy Code: VA/2011/NAO/UNSOMA/OQAO/14-02

Title: Operations / Quality Assurance Officer

Level: International Individual Contractor (I-ICA) level 1

Org Unit: NAO/Mine Action Programme - Somalia

Duty Station: Garowe, Puntland

Duration: 6 Months Initially (renewable – subject to funds availability)

Closing Date: 28/02/2011

Background

The Mine Action Programme in Somalia had been implemented by UNDP since 2002. The programme started in Somaliland (1992-1993, 1997-1998 and 1999-present), and Puntland (2003-2005), and has implemented capacity building projects, provided technical assistance for the national Somaliland and Puntland Mine Action centres and the Police Explosive Ordnance disposal teams.

Mine Action operations in south central Somalia were launched in 2007 with the primary objective of establishing a national Mine Action Coordination Center to cover the remaining regions of south central Somalia.

The UN Somalia Mine Action Programme (UNSOMA) has transitioned and will operate under the responsibility of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), executed by UNOPS. In South Central, UNSOMA will expand the activities in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

In complement to the provision of capacity building and support for the AMISOM forces to undertake EOD (Explosive Ordnance) activities in Mogadishu to reduce the large amounts of ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) and stockpiles throughout the city, Police EOD teams will be deployed in Mogadishu in concert with an emergency MRE initiatives by UNMAS, UNICEF and UNHCR to reach the large numbers of returnees for provision of humanitarian assistance.

UNSOMA has an office in Nairobi to provide managerial and support functions for the Regional Offices in Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Capacity Building Technical Advisor , (CBTA) , North the Operations/Quality Assurance Officer will:

Operations Component

• Coordinate the Operations/Plans section of the PMAC of Puntland, including the monitoring of the current operations.
  
• Supervise local staff working in the Operations/QA section,
  
• Coordinate and monitor mine/UXO clearance operations including quality assurance monitoring and standards;
• Monitor implementation of clearance plans as issued and authorize any changes to clearance plans in consultation with the PMAC.
  
• Coordination of operational activities between UN and activities of other partners in Somalia.
  
• Maintain internationally recognized drills, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety standards for manual, dog and mechanical demining, survey and EOD procedures.
  
• Ensuring that clearance organizations are conducting clearance in accordance of the Puntland NTSG’s.

QA Component

• Training of local QA staff.
  
• Supervising
  
• Implementation and monitoring of technical and safety standards for throughout the mission area.
  
• To direct contractual and accredited organizations with production of standardized technical and safety standards to meet MACC standards.
• Continuously look for areas of improvement in efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the program through the introduction of new technology, equipment, materials, drills, procedures, and processes.
  
• Work with teams charged with investigation of landmine and UXO incidents.
  
• Implement a QA Management System and ensure that it is being applied in a fair and equitable manner.
  
• Ensure that accreditation and monitoring of activities does not interrupt or delay the demining tasks.
  
• Conduct training; provide coaching and mentoring on all aspects of QA.
  
• Provide capacity development for the national staff of the mine action team in the planning and implementation of a QA system.
  
• Responsible for all aspects of sampling and post clearance operations/post impact assessments.
  
• Ensure close and effective inter-action and co-ordination of QA with the other integral aspects of the mine action programme
  
• Coordinate investigations of mine incidents/accidents and serve as a chair or member of the Board of Inquiry (BOI).
  
• Ensure appropriate files and records are maintained for all QA monitoring.
  
• Provide advice to the CBTA on quality management strategies, aims, goals and objectives, and any other tasks as directed by the Programme Manager, and COP

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

• Strong analytical abilities
  
• Demonstrated experience in Mine Clearance Operations and QA.
  
• Excellent computer literacy is essential, knowledge of IMSMA an asset.
  
• Excellent written communication report writing skills.
  
• The ability to operate in a multi-national environment and in a foreign country.

Education and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, social science, or related field or senior staff qualification;
  
• a first level university degree or military/police college or junior command and staff course combined with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 2 years proven and applicable experience in the managing of Operations and QA systems for humanitarian mine clearance operations.
  
• Thorough knowledge of IMAS and ISO, demining SOPs, technical and international humanitarian safety standards and procedures.
  
• A solid understanding of counter-mine measures/demining, or UXO clearance operations and related practices.
  
• Team management experience and skills, preferably in a UN mine action operation: should be self-reliant and able to work independently; self-motivated and able to motivate others.

Language

• Excellent spoken and written English is required.

Other requirements

• Experience with a UN Mine Action Centre or Demining NGO an advantage.
  
• Experience in the region is advantageous.
  
• Knowledge and experience in Somalia is desirable.
  
• Internationally recognized driving license.

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to Somaliamineaction@unops.org.

Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.